Non-Porsche tech question

TGTIW · 01-04-2007, 07:29 AM

Hopefully someone here could help me out a little. My mother-in-law took her car (05 Ford 500) to be washed and serviced. The place (a full service gas station) washed the car and then also filled it with 15 gallons of diesel fuel. Long story short, the car dies, goes to the dealer yesterday, dealer says it's got diesel fuel in it, they go back to the station and after a little arguing the station admits to putting diesel in and says they will take care of any mechanical bills. The Ford dealer drains the tank and says the car will run a little rough for a while, but it should be fine. Would it be a good idea to have the fuel filter changed and maybe a fuel system clean performed? Also, would filling it with diesel void the engine warranty (it has 28,000miles)? Do you think it's worth the hassel to pursue legal action for a percieved loss of value? Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.

legion · 01-04-2007, 07:34 AM

My personal belief is that the fuel filter will probably have to be changed a couple of times.

IIRC, the gasoline will probably dissolve the diesel, so I don't think it will really stay resident in the fuel system for long (especially with ethanol in the fuel).

I would get a written statement from the gas station that they filled it with diesel and they will pay for any repairs. I would then do what the dealer recomends, then wait and see.

slakjaw · 01-04-2007, 07:40 AM

I would change the filter but I would not have a complete fuel systel cleaning or anything like that. It will cause no long term harm to the car. And I doubt it will do anything to the warrenty.

speeder · speeder's Garage

As my alcoholic boss at the Amoco station I worked at in HS used to say:

"Any idiot can pump gas, but it takes a real genius to put the cap back on..."

legion · 01-04-2007, 07:53 AM

Not quite the same, but similar.

I ran my 300D (MB diesel) through the car wash once after I forgot to put the cap on the tank. Fortunately, the dealership was across the street. They used what looked like a large syringe to suck the water out of the tank that was sitting on top of the diesel. About 3 weeks later, the car started running like crap. I changed both of the fuel filters (which were full of water), and it ran fine again. That car is still alive and kicking (though I no longer own it).

Joeaksa · 01-04-2007, 07:55 AM

I would get everything in writing as well as a complete inspection of the engine. Hopefully its not damaged as a gas engine was not designed to run on diesel, and could have damaged the pistons, cylinders and valves/heads due to excessive compression.

The entire fuel system needs to be purged and refilled with fresh gas and new filters throughout, then monitored for the next several thousand miles.

What does Ford say about the warranty? If they will keep covering it then not a problem, otherwise the service station is now responsible for it. Get them to purchase an additional warranty to cover the engine if Ford will not agree to continue covering the engine.

I would as well get the owner of the service station to sign a statement that they are now responsible for the engine warranty of the car until its over. If they refuse then call a lawyer because once they miss-filled the car they more or less bought it.

Joe A

TSNAPCRACKLEPOP · TSNAPCRACKLEPOP's Garage

i just bought an 88 carbureted trooper II. it sat full of diesel for 6 years. everyone said they could start it with spray, but no run.

i changed the fuel filter and smelled it. Deisel. guess what....troopers have a drain plug in the bottom of the tank!!

i ran the diesel, a gallon at a time, in my 84 chevy straight six at each fill up. (tried to dispose of anything lately?) it smoked a little, but it is OIL! cleaned the carb on the trooper, it runs fine on a shop fuel tank. however, diesel attracts moisture like you would not believe, the tank, after removal, had fuzzy rust that fell off at the pressure washer, but the pickup sock is all rust, and will be replaced.

i would change the filter, and carry a spare.

TGTIW · 01-05-2007, 04:41 AM

I appreciate everyone's replies. The Ford dealer is replacing the fuel filter and plugs. Though, and I find this rather amusing, my father-in-law called to check on the car and they told him that they're replacing 3 of the 6 spark plugs. He asked why only 3 since all 6 would have been exposed to the diesel? And they actually told him that the rear 3 plugs (transverse V6) were difficult to get to and they didn't want to do them.

TSNAPCRACKLEPOP · TSNAPCRACKLEPOP's Garage

if it is like the SHO taurus engine, the intake manifold (and a few smaller items)is removed to change the rear plugs

VaSteve · 01-05-2007, 08:01 AM

We pumped about 12 gallons of gas and water into my BMW. They drained the tank, replaced the filter and cleaned the fuel system and reset the "DME" (equivalent). The told me it would run a little rough and I should stand on it for a while..it never did, run rough but it was fun driving hard by prescription.

Just draining the tank doesn't cut it IMHO.

VaSteve · 01-05-2007, 08:01 AM

We pumped about 12 gallons of gas and water into my BMW. They drained the tank, replaced the filter and cleaned the fuel system and reset the "DME" (equivalent). The told me it would run a little rough and I should stand on it for a while..it never did, run rough but it was fun driving hard by prescription.

Just draining the tank doesn't cut it IMHO.